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[RC] Windpuffs - Bruce Weary DCHi Liz-- I am not a vet, and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night. But, I am a joint man. Let's clarify a few terms so we can communicate. Swelling, usually refers to fluid contained in a defined space, like a joint--much like water in a balloon. Filling, refers to fluid built up in the spaces between structures, like legs that stock up and improve with a little exercise. Cellular inflammation denotes changes inside the cells of damaged or infected tissues. These all can occur by themselves or in combination. You have described what appears to be a classic case of cyclic and increasing joint trauma and inflammation from aggressive exercise. I have found that wind puffs are often "under diagnosed"--by that I mean they are often seen as inconsequential, but should be taken seriously.. They are a distension of either the joint capsule or the tendon sheath, and are an indication of the synovial membrane producing fluid at an increased rate. This is usually due to trauma, and I include high velocity/high impact exercise in my definition of trauma. That would include sprinting/speed work such as is often done in Ride and Tie. Some horses can handle it, and some can't, depending on their genetics and tissue hardening. If we as people did something athletic and during or soon afterward we saw a large swelling in or around a joint, whether it was tender or not, we would probably be gravely concerned. If our doctor told us not to worry as long as it wasn't painful, we would probably look for a new doctor, especially if it shows no signs of going away any time soon. The pain she feels on the joint compression tests isn't likely from the fluid in the pockets that you see causing compression on the tendons nearby. It is much more likely from pain caused by irritating the joint capsule, ligaments or arthritic tissue within the joint. Her body has made a decision that her joints require extra lubrication to help offset the injurious effects of the athletics she has participated in. So, the synovial membrane produces fluid at a rate faster than it drains off, and has become a chronic situation. The fact that there is fluid in one leg and not another simply means that the involved leg sustained stresses/injury that the others did not. You can x-ray, but I doubt you'll find a bone chip. This isn't a case of a "wind puff gone bad." There is involvement of other tissues in and around her joints causing her pain and fluid signs. Sounds like she needs plenty of rest, only light exercise, and perhaps a career change. It's true many wind puffs can be ignored after an otherwise full recovery and safe return to activity have been achieved. It sure sounds like you have more going on than that. Good luck, and please let us know how her recovery goes. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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